Chapter 38: Asgardian Responsibilities

"Who is that?" Betty Ross asked, irritation lacing her voice as she glanced toward the door. Tonight was supposed to be her moment—she had finally mustered the courage to take a step forward…

A somewhat hoarse female voice called from outside, "I'm looking for Mr. Thor. Is he here?"

Betty frowned, looking at Thor in confusion.

Thor's expression matched hers. He hadn't told anyone where he was tonight. Maya was busy catching up on years of earthly developments, and the only person who might have tracked him down was Natasha. So… who could this visitor be?

With a sigh, Thor went to open the door, casting a regretful look at Betty.

As he opened the door, everything shifted. Instead of the familiar doorway, he was met with a strange, golden glow beneath his feet. The floor seemed to drop away, and in an instant, his surroundings vanished into darkness.

When Thor opened his eyes again, he was standing in an elegant hall, filled with an unmistakable air of Eastern mysticism. Around him, traditional paintings, calligraphy, and the soft clink of a fountain created a serene atmosphere. Sunlight filtered in through the windows, casting a warm glow over everything.

Thor blinked, momentarily disoriented. Wasn't I just at Betty's house?

As his vision cleared, he noticed a figure standing before him: a tall woman with a bald head, draped in a monk's robe. Her expression was calm, yet her presence exuded power and mystery.

Thor raised an eyebrow. "So, is bringing someone here without warning Kamar-Taj's usual welcome?" he asked, folding his arms.

The woman merely smiled, unfazed. "Thor Odinson, I've been aware of you for quite some time—since 1995, to be precise."

Thor's pulse quickened. 1995? That's when I crossed over…

"I've been monitoring people and phenomena from other realms," the Ancient One continued, her gaze steady. "They often bring… unpredictable threats."

"Hold on," Thor interrupted, frowning. "I'm not from another world. I'm Asgardian—born and raised in this realm."

The Ancient One nodded, acknowledging his point. "True, you are the son of Odin, belonging to this world. But ten years ago, I sensed an anomaly in your soul. You vanished for a brief moment, then reappeared, though… changed. I couldn't ignore such a shift."

Thor considered her words. "Let's just say… I visited a parallel world."

The Ancient One raised an eyebrow but didn't probe further. "Since that day, the timeline of this world has shifted in subtle ways. At first, I couldn't understand it, but eventually, I saw that each deviation led back to you."

Thor sensed her probing curiosity. Her duty was to protect Earth, even if it meant challenging those who disrupted its natural flow. He tensed, realizing just how powerful she was. At her peak, the Ancient One was as strong as Odin himself. And if she chose to act, he knew he would be outmatched.

The Ancient One regarded him with a level stare. "Why have you been altering history's course? Every timeline has its path, set by natural laws. Changing it goes against these laws, and there will be a price. An imbalance could tear this world apart, causing untold suffering."

Thor's response was immediate and fierce. "Oh, really? Aren't you one to talk about breaking rules! As the Sorcerer Supreme, you've bent them yourself. You carry traces of Dormammu's power within you. Maybe others don't know it, but I do."

The Ancient One's calm composure faltered for a fraction of a second before she composed herself again.

"Perhaps you justify it as maintaining the timeline as you know it. You're willing to accept your death and the betrayal of those closest to you as part of that." Thor's tone was raw with emotion. "But I refuse to accept a future that kills my family, slaughters my people, and destroys my homeland in Ragnarök. And I can't accept that Natasha will die in the cold of space, alone."

Thor's gaze was hard and unyielding. "If that's the future you're defending, then I'll say it clearly: such a future isn't worth it."

The Ancient One remained silent for a long time, and Thor prepared himself, trying to anticipate a possible attack, wondering how he might defend himself.

Finally, she looked up, her face softening into a slight smile.

"You're right," she said quietly.

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